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Topic: RON 27: Request for Information on Grandfather |
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Michael Rowden
New Member
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Posted on: Oct 15, 2013 - 7:27pm
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Hello All,
I write to you in hopes that you may have information and/or photographs of my late grandfather, the boat he captained and his crew. I do not know his boat number but I do know it was in RON 27. His name is Lt. (j.g.) Robert Francis Browning.
I truly appreciate any help or guidance you are able to provide.
Thank you,
Michael R Rowden
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Gary Paulsen
MASTER
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Posted on: Oct 16, 2013 - 7:10am
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Hi Michael
Welcome to the forum. Did not have any mention of your grandfather in my Dad's stuff from PT 374. E mail me if I can help further.
Gary
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Michael Rowden
New Member
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Posted on: Oct 16, 2013 - 8:38am
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Thank you for the response, Gary.
I have piecemeal bits of information as he did not talk about the war very much with family and I was a young child most of the time he was alive.
I know he was with RON 27 from 1943 (upon graduating from the University of Notre Dame) until near the end of the war. I have an ashtray of his that was made out of a 40 MM shell casing which is fabricated to read "PT RON 27" and "Solomons". He mentioned his boat being caught in a terrifying typhoon and the men lashing themselves to the boat. I also know while stationed in the Philippines, his boat transported Gen. MacArthur's wife and son. Finally, there is a picture we have of him holding up a playing card with another Lt.. The two of them drew cards to see who got to head back to the States and he drew the high card.
Not sure if any of this information is helpful but I thought I would share. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to read my post.
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Bill Manley
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Oct 16, 2013 - 4:53pm
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Hello Michael,
I have a Lt.(jg) Robert F. Browning listed on the crew as being on PT 378, Ron 27. I may have more info as I check into it. I can be contacted on my email address. Bill
Bill Manley |
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Randy McConnell
New Member
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Posted on: Oct 16, 2013 - 5:17pm
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Michael,
The picture you mentioned is in my Dad's photo album and the caption reads: "Bob Browning & Bill Ward - Bob won the draw to go home first". Bill Ward was CO of PT 360 and he and my Dad stayed in touch long after the war. The picture is on a page of the album headed "Guiuan, Samar Island, Philippines". There are other pictures of enlisted men from the 360 and the 361 (Dad's boat) leaving for home. So far I have found nothing else with your grandfather, but I'll keep looking.
Randy McC
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Michael Rowden
New Member
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Posted on: Oct 16, 2013 - 8:33pm
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Bill and Randy,
Thank you both for passing along the information! I immediately informed various family members of the details. My mother immediately recognized the name, Bill Ward. Turns out my grandfather stayed in touch with Bill after the war as well and they exchanged Christmas cards every year.
It is really special for my family to gather this information. I appreciate all you have done and anything additional that the fine members of this site are able to come up with.
Michael
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Randy McConnell
New Member
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Posted on: Oct 20, 2013 - 9:44am
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Michael,
I couldn't find anything else on your grandfather during the war years, but I did come up with something post-war. Like 50 years post war. First the picture you referenced of your grandfather and Bill Ward to see who shipped home first - your grandfather won the draw.
And 50 years later at the 1995 reunion in Annapolis.
Left to Right - Bob Browning, John Mapp (376), Bill Ward (360), Sam Dickey, and Randy McConnell (361). As a point of reference my Dad is 74 years old in this picture.
Hopefully the pictures post okay. Photobucket seems to keep changing the links. (Okay, the third time was the charm.)
Randy McC
Lakewood CO
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Dick
Moderator
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Posted on: Oct 20, 2013 - 10:14am
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I've fixed the photo posting code. Remember when you use the IMG code you have to spell it out to image
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PRJM3
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Oct 20, 2013 - 11:05am
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Dick,
Thanks, I remembered that something had changed and finally figured out it was image and not IMG.
Randy McC
Randy McConnell (Randall J. McConnell III) |
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Michael Rowden
New Member
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Posted on: Oct 22, 2013 - 4:43pm
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Randy,
Thank you so much for your reply. My family and I are so grateful for the pictures and information. They greatly add to our remembrance of a man we all adore.
Warmest Regards,
Michael
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